AK-74

The AK-74 and variants have been seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Please note that some movies and TV shows feature the Norinco Type 84, which is a Chinese AK variant that looks similar to the AK-74 but is chambered in 5.56x45mm. Do not confuse these with the genuine mil-spec AK-74.

Also note that AK-74 and its update AK-74M is a standard-issue assault rifle for Russian armed forces since the 70s. All fictional depictions of 7.62x39 AK variants as standard-issue Russian military weapon, therefore, should be considered an anachronism until proven otherwise (for example, some special forces operators and front line soldiers have been known to arm themselves with available 7.62x39 AK rifles and light machine guns as a matter of personal choice).

AK-74

AK-74 - 5.45x39mm

Romanian manufactured AK-74 - 5.45x39mm. Romanian rifles can be identified by the position of the bayonet lug directly beneath the front sight, rather than on an extension behind it as seen on Russian weapons, along with the earlier AKM style gas block.

AK-74M

AK-74M - 5.45x39mm

AK-74M, left side - 5.45x39mm

AK-74M with an attached bayonet - 5.45x39mm

AK-74M with 40mm GP-30 grenade launcher - 5.45x39mm

The AK-74M is the modernized version of the AK-74, and the current service rifle of the Russian Ground Forces. The AK-74M features a new side-folding polyamide stock, an improved muzzle device, and a smooth dust cover. All AK-74M rifles feature a side bracket for mounting optics.

AKS-74U

AKS-74U (also referred to as the "AKSU" or 'Krinkov') - 5.45x39mm

The AKS-74U is a compact carbine based on the AK-74 design. Contrary to popular belief, the AKS-74U is not exactly a "chopped" or otherwise shortened AKS-74. This weapon was designed during a contest for a compact carbine (a type of weapon earlier neglected by the Soviet army and police forces) during the late 1970s. Furthermore, its original and primary purpose was to be a compact weapon that could be easily stowed within vehicles by their crews, and usable for personal defense by those same crews once on foot. Its use by Afghanistan-era airborne troops and later adoption as a standard-issue police weapon answered the need for a compact rifle-caliber weapon in the Soviet arsenal (the earlier and widely manufactured PPSh-41 submachine gun having been discontinued by the 1960s).

The AKS-74U is, in fact, a purpose-built weapon based on the AK-74 assault rifle. Its distinguishing features are its unique muzzle flash suppressor (designed to lower the considerable report and flash stemming from the short barrel, including an integral muzzle booster to increase the weapon's reliability), the short handguard, big-eared flip rear sight, lowered front sight, and pivoting upper receiver. AKS-74U clones, collectively named Krinkov (a name never used by Russians themselves) may differ visually in details like front sight and handguard length and shape, together with differences in construction. No converted AK-74 can be rightfully called an AKS-74U.

Despite common miscategorization, particularly in video games, it also is not, has never been, and will never be a submachine gun: since it fires an intermediate round, it is a compact assault rifle. This perception seems to come from the AKS-74U heavily influencing the NATO "Personal Defense Weapon" concept first published in 1989, which called for an armor-piercing SMG for a similar role and led to the development of the FN P90 and Heckler & Koch MP7.

Kbk wz.88 Tantal

Kbk wz.88 Tantal - 5.45x39mm

The karabinek wzór 1988 (Carbine Model 1988) Tantal is a 5.45mm assault rifle designed and produced in Poland in the late 1980s. It is considered by many to be one of the most unique small calibre Kalashnikov rifles made outside of Russia. A primary consideration in its design was the three-round burst option, as well as the ability to fire rifle grenades. In the early 1990s it was issued to Polish Army units, but with upcoming Poland membership in NATO, Tantal production was halted. It was then replaced by the Kbs wz. 1996 Beryl.

Anime

Video Games

Kbs wz.96 Beryl

Kbs wz.96A Beryl - 5.56x45mm

Beryl M762 - 7.62x39mm

The Kbs wz.96 Beryl is a Polish assault rifle chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO. The Beryl rifle was developed from Kbk wz.88 Tantal rifle, and since its adoption in Polish military in 1997 went through several modifications focused on improving its ergonomics. The Beryl is often used with a quick-detach sight rail.

Several variants of rifle exists. The basic model is kbs wz. 1996A Beryl. The 96B (made in 2004) model has a fixed foregrip and side rails. The 96C (made in 2009) model features many modernized features, such as a new buttstock, rails, magazine, and foregrip. The most recent model is 96D, made in 2013-2014, which was the 96C with a foldable stock and using STANAG magazines. In addition, two export versions of the 96C in 5.45x39mm and 7.62x39mm were produced, called M545 and M762, M762 being most notably used by Nigeria. A carbine Mini-Beryl also exists.

Skbk wz.89 Onyks

Skbk wz.89 Onyks - 5.45x39mm

Poland made its own equivalent of the AKS-74U known as the wz.89 Onyks which is based on the wz.88 Tantal. The Onyks differs from the AKS-74U most notably in the design of the folding stock, rear sights mounted on the front trunion rather than dust cover and a different muzzle device that allows the firing of rifle-grenades.

Work on the weapon began in 1989 at the Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy state research institute in the city of Radom. The weapon’s technical specifications were confirmed that same year. First prototypes were made in 1990, and last pre-production batch of approximately 150 (or less) carbines in 1995. Carbines from all three series can be identified by having different rear-sights, or plastic furniture (pictured). Skbk wz.89 Onyks was never issued to Polish Army, and weapons from the third batch were destroyed, deactivated or sold to the movie industry.

AK-107

Full-sized assault rifle in 5.45x39mm with a "balanced action" system (also found on the AEK-971) for much better recoil control and accuracy. Physically, it is a modernized version of the AL-7 prototype assault rifle, and the AK in its name does not stand for Avtomat Kalashnikov, and instead Alexandrov/Kalashnikov.

Specifications

(1999 - Present)

Type: Assault Rifle

Caliber: 5.45x39mm

Weight: 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)

Length: 37.1 in (94.3 cm)

Barrel length: 16.3 in (41.5 cm)

Feed System: 30-round box magazine, 60-round casket magazine

Fire Modes: Semi-Auto/Burst-3/Full-Auto

The AK-107 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Video Games

Kbk Wz. 2005 Jantar

Based on the Kbk Wz. 1996 Beryl rifle (which is also based on the AK-74), the Wz. 2005 Jantar is a Polish bullpup rifle firing 5.56x45mm NATO rounds. It was a prototype to test out the advantages of bullpup rifles and laying the pathway on modernizing the Polish Army to NATO standards.